Saskatchewan Polytechnic adding training seats for medical technologists

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is expanding the number of training seats available for medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) and medical radiologic technologists (MRTs) in the province.

In a media release Monday, the Saskatchewan government announced it was providing funding for 10 additional MLT seats and eight additional MRT seats in Saskatoon.

MLTs and MRTs perform medical testing and imaging to help in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

“Expanded training opportunities will help more students find rewarding health-care careers right here in Saskatchewan,” Advanced Education Minister Gordon Wyant said in the release.

“Our government continues to work with post-secondary institutions to support students who want to train for these in-demand careers in our growing province.”

The increases were part of an announcement in January – when the province revealed it was adding 550 seats in 18 priority health occupations – but specific numbers weren’t provided until Monday.

The expansion is part of Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources Action Plan, through which the province is hoping to add 1,000 health-care workers over the next few years.

“This program expansion will support Saskatchewan’s future workforce by increasing the number of professionals trained in these two critical health occupations,” Health Minister Everett Hindley said in the release.

“Increasing training seats for MLTs and MRTs will help to address shortages experienced in these areas and improve available patient health care services across the province.”

For more information about the training seat expansion is available here.